French Report Warns of Rafale's Limitations Against Stealth Fighters, Prompting India to Accelerate AMCA to Counter China-Pak 5th-Gen Fleet

A recent report from the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri), a leading French think tank, has raised concerns about the capabilities of the Dassault Rafale fighter jet in modern aerial combat, particularly against advanced stealth aircraft.

The report, titled "The Future of Air Superiority: Mastering the Skies in High Intensity," was authored by two experts from the French Air and Space Forces and has been highlighted by the French media outlet L’Opinion.

The Ifri report suggests that the current French approach to air superiority may be inadequate in high-intensity conflicts, especially when operating alongside allies with fifth-generation fighter jets like the American F-35.

In simulated combat exercises, Rafale pilots have reportedly faced significant challenges when engaging stealth fighters, leading the report to conclude that "the combat mission against stealth fighters is impossible to win with the current state of the sensors."

This assessment has significant implications for the Indian Air Force (IAF), which has already inducted 36 Rafale jets and is considering further acquisitions.

The report raises questions about the Rafale's effectiveness in air superiority roles against adversaries equipped with fifth-generation fighters, such as the Chinese J-20 and the potential acquisition of the Chinese J-35A by Pakistan.

This looming "stealth gap" could undermine India's ability to maintain air dominance in the region.

In response to these concerns, India may accelerate the development of its own fifth-generation fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), or explore alternative options for acquiring stealth capabilities.

The AMCA program, spearheaded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), aims to deliver a cutting-edge fighter jet with advanced stealth features, sensor fusion, and network-centric warfare capabilities.

Furthermore, the IAF may prioritize upgrading the Rafale's existing avionics and electronic warfare systems to enhance its survivability and effectiveness against stealth threats. This could involve collaborating with France to develop and integrate new technologies or seeking solutions from other international partners.

The Ifri report underscores the evolving nature of aerial warfare and the challenges posed by advanced stealth technology. India's response will likely involve a multi-pronged approach, including accelerating indigenous fighter development, pursuing upgrades for existing platforms, and potentially diversifying its fighter fleet to ensure a robust and adaptable air defence capability.

 

[sanket]

Morning I Have said Su-57 is better than 4.5 Gen Rafale, In MRFA Instead of Rafale should purchased Stealth Fighter jet in G2G by cancelling this circus which going for almost from 2007 & Most Important thing its French French Institute of International Relations & Not by Sputnik or some thing else other wise again ready to say propaganda Article Ha Ha Ha, Bharat will have 36Rafale +26Rafale M =62 Rafale , Time to look for future platform with contemporary Tech Features

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Our Rafael loving forces will be disappointed. We should scrap 4th gen MRFA. Import 2 or 3 squadrons of Rafael's and equal number of Su57's.

 

[Anant]

Our Rafael loving forces will be disappointed. We should scrap 4th gen MRFA. Import 2 or 3 squadrons of Rafael's and equal number of Su57's.

This may well be the only viable option now, though I would say that if the US does offer the F-35 (highly, highly unlikely), then the IAF should do a comparative analysis and then procure as needed. MRFA was supposed to be 6 squadrons, so 6 squadrons here split in 3+3 would make up for it.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

What type of comparison is that? The Rafale flew in the 80s and the F-35 flew in 2006. But there is one thing that has to be taken into consideration: the EW of the Rafale. Even if fighters like the J-35 shoot a missile, the moment the missile goes active, the Spectra will start jamming the seeker even though it has an AESA seeker. The J-35 may be stealthy, but at some point, it has to light its radar to guide the radar-guided AAM. Again, the Rafale has a very good opto-electronic sensor that scans the sky for IR radiation in two bands. It also has an optically stabilized ball in front. Both these are sensor-fused and can easily pick up the jet engine heat signature of the J-35 from nearly 100 km away on a clear sky. Our own Su-30MKI can easily pick up fighters from 50km away even with the old OLS-30 IRST. So all is not lost.

Again, India is making VHF radars that can easily pick up stealth. It's very hard to make a platform stealthy against VHF and UHF frequencies. The VHF and UHF range and resolution are basic and can't give a fire control solution, but they will at least detect the stealth and the direction that it is coming. That sensor fused with L band and S band radar can easily give an FCS. This is the same principle that is effective on the S-400 SAM. The chances of detecting a stealth are great. That's why the US was mad at Turkey for getting the S-400.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

No worries. Many is this forum will tell us how to negate the advantages of 5th generation fighters.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Our Rafael loving forces will be disappointed. We should scrap 4th gen MRFA. Import 2 or 3 squadrons of Rafael's and equal number of Su57's.

Absolutely. When we have Tejas mk1, 1A, 2, AMCA, TDBEF, ORCA we dont need Rafales.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

This may well be the only viable option now, though I would say that if the US does offer the F-35 (highly, highly unlikely), then the IAF should do a comparative analysis and then procure as needed. MRFA was supposed to be 6 squadrons, so 6 squadrons here split in 3+3 would make up for it.

While F35 may be technologically superior, buying F35 would make us dance to USA's tunes. Better not buy critical military platforms from USA.

 

[sanket]

What type of comparison is that? The Rafale flew in the 80s and the F-35 flew in 2006. But there is one thing that has to be taken into consideration: the EW of the Rafale. Even if fighters like the J-35 shoot a missile, the moment the missile goes active, the Spectra will start jamming the seeker even though it has an AESA seeker. The J-35 may be stealthy, but at some point, it has to light its radar to guide the radar-guided AAM. Again, the Rafale has a very good opto-electronic sensor that scans the sky for IR radiation in two bands. It also has an optically stabilized ball in front. Both these are sensor-fused and can easily pick up the jet engine heat signature of the J-35 from nearly 100 km away on a clear sky. Our own Su-30MKI can easily pick up fighters from 50km away even with the old OLS-30 IRST. So all is not lost.

enemy will not send 4th gen 1970s Fighter jet to counter, by your logic Enemy will first detect which Gen Fighter is on combat Mission then they will select 3rd or 2nd Gen Ha Ha Ha, Its Game of Look first Shoot First, Report says current sensors have short comings & French model is reaching its limits

 

[Debalik]

Sorry to disappoint the Su-57 proponents, but the Rafale F3R in its present configuration is even more capable than the Su-57 in its present configuration.

The RBE2 AA AESA radar with 838 T/R modules may be half the size of the N036 Byelka AESA radar with 1550 T/R modules. However, the RBE2 AA AESA radar possesses AESA T/R modules in a notch configuration, which provides it with far better targeting capabilities & EW resistance compared to the slotted array antenna configuration of the N036 Byelka AESA radar.

This, coupled with the lower RCS of the Rafale at 0.5 m^2 and a better, more matured EW suite - Thales Spectra EW suite, gives it much better survivability.

The Meteor BVR AAM with SFDR propulsion & an AESA seeker, Mica IR WVR AAM with IIR seeker & the Storm Shadow VLO AGM all provide a significant advantage in the current situation.

The Snecma M-88 engine also generates a large amount of electrical power which enables a strong EW suite.

In the present condition, Rafale is the best shot that we have got.

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

We have no practical option. Su 57 is also a compromise on 5th gen fighter. AMCA is only hope but a hope is joke if it's placed on mighty shoulders of Drdo and HAL.

We'll have to be quite for at least 2 decades from now against china unless US offers F35 but that again will have dire consequences to autonomy. Overall really poor situation.

 

[Sandeep Singh]

We have no practical option. Su 57 is also a compromise on 5th gen fighter. AMCA is only hope but a hope is joke if it's placed on mighty shoulders of Drdo and HAL.

We'll have to be quite for at least 2 decades from now against china unless US offers F35 but that again will have dire consequences to autonomy. Overall really poor situation.

In two decades, you will face the same problem—if not worse.

AMCA will be outdated against China, just like those 31 Tejas is outdated against China now.

They already have two next-generation fighter jets flying, whereas AMCA is still waiting for an engine. Until there is an engine, there can be no finalized AMCA design suited for that engine configuration.

In two decades, you’ll probably have to stay quiet and ask for another three more decades.

 

[Mridul baruah]

Morning I Have said Su-57 is better than 4.5 Gen Rafale, In MRFA Instead of Rafale should purchased Stealth Fighter jet in G2G by cancelling this circus which going for almost from 2007 & Most Important thing its French French Institute of International Relations & Not by Sputnik or some thing else other wise again ready to say propaganda Article Ha Ha Ha, Bharat will have 36Rafale +26Rafale M =62 Rafale , Time to look for future platform with contemporary Tech Features

If that is the case why did India decide to move out of the FGFA even after paying a decent amount towards its development. Where was the planning?? Did the people on the top really believed that AMCA would be prepared and ready at the promised time frame.

 

[Ayyadurai Namasivayam]

I also read one article. In that one of the retired French pilot said with this current technologies in rafale it will not be able to match f35

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

In two decades, you will face the same problem—if not worse.

AMCA will be outdated against China, just like those 31 Tejas is outdated against China now.

They already have two next-generation fighter jets flying, whereas AMCA is still waiting for an engine. Until there is an engine, there can be no finalized AMCA design suited for that engine configuration.

In two decades, you’ll probably have to stay quiet and ask for another three more decades.

You aren't wrong but an optimist inside me thinks we might have a functioning engine and advanced radar by then. So developing new and upgrading existing jets might not get as delayed as today. But who knows.

 

[Arya Veer]

All Strategic policy makers for the nations know that for better decisions on ground they need autonomy in defense technology key. Defense Technology that is indeginous and free from forieng Tech, Make in Indian Weapons platform (IN house technology and all parts assembly) with complete delivery platforms are critical to achieve reliability. In case of war none can pledge sharing key details and affects INDIAN Autonomy. Bharat should work on making a Akhand hindu Rashtra and focus on inhouse products instead foreign vendors. Indian Tax payers money is hugely compounded in interest of foreign companies without technology transfer.

 

[SURESH RAO]

Hardly 2 years and need to upgrade avionics, electronics, sensors and what not. This is more like French business strategy. Charge huge for upgrading the existing Tapporee F3 to F4

 

[Taus Melek]

Well there you have it, straight from the horses mouth. However, the great and good in government and military will still continue with 4.599 gen aircraft’s and upgrading vintage 50 year old planes. Great going guys!

 

[PKPRS]

Our Rafael loving forces will be disappointed. We should scrap 4th gen MRFA. Import 2 or 3 squadrons of Rafael's and equal number of Su57's.

When to make the engine and when to replace them with the new engine, why all the hassle, better sell the 36 Rafale’s and go for either EF Typhoon Tranche 5 or F/A-18 for both Airforce and Navy and cancel Rafale-M, we have engine commonality also, if we are buying 4th gen jet, but SU-57/SU-75 will be mostly preferred by GOI.